QB Blake Rankin, CB Bryant Gross-Armiento discuss their transfers out of Rutgers football

Quarterback Blake Rankin (11) is transferring from Rutgers in search of a program where he will find more playing time. (Mark Sullivan/MyCentralJersey.com)

Two of the most common causes of college athlete transfers surfaced Tuesday afternoon within the Rutgers football team as quarterback Blake Rankin and cornerback Bryant Gross-Armiento both announced decisions to leave the program.

Rankin opened spring camp as one of five co-starters but slipped out of the now three-horse quarterback competition after Saturday’s scrimmage, which was the sixth practice.

“I’d like to play somewhere,” Rankin said. “They gave me a great opportunity here but things just weren’t going my way. It’s probably the toughest decision I’ve ever made. Rutgers has been good to me but it’s just time to move on for the better, hopefully.”

The rising redshirt sophomore will have three years of eligibility remaining if he goes to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) program or two if he stays at the FBS level.

“Right now I’m just keeping my options open. I’m going to be doing a lot of research over the next few weeks to see where I end up,” Rankin said. “I’m not looking for a certain style of offense but definitely a school similar to Rutgers with good academics, good football.”

Rankin said he felt “very confident” entering the spring but he appears to be a better fit in an offense that allows him to get out of the pocket and use his feet.

“I think at this position there is a lot of pressure whether you are competing for a spot or you are the starter or the backup,” he said. “There is always pressure. Knowing that coach is going to be making a decision based off the spring, every quarterback is probably playing with pressure on them.”

Gross-Armiento was a three-start recruit with LSU among his 15 offers, according to Rivals.com, coming out of high school in Florida. He cited family-oriented “personal reasons” as the impetus for his transfer.

“I’ve got things back home that I need to handle,” Gross-Armiento said when asked if he has a destination in mind, “so obviously going back home would be in my best interest.”

The rising redshirt freshman got off to a fast start last training camp but suffered a season-ending hamstring injury and watched as Rutgers’ secondary struggled to a historic low and started seven different cornerbacks.

“I think my hamstring is fine now,” Gross-Armiento said. “I was doing fine through camp but injuries are a part of the game and I can’t let that injury stop me from what I’m doing. I think I’ve got a lot left in the tank and now I’ve got to prove it.”

Both Rankin and Gross-Armiento intend to finish the academic semester at Rutgers.

“Rutgers as a whole, the society, the fan base, the coaching staff, they brought me up and supported me when I was down,” Gross-Armiento said. “All through the season I had a tough time and definitely this semester with all the personal things. That’s what teammates are for.”

About Ryan Dunleavy

Ryan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.

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About the Author

Jerry CarinoJerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.E-mail Jerry

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004 and began covering Shore Conference sports full time in September 2006. He is a 2004 graduate of Springfield College with a degree in communications/sports journalism.E-mail Josh

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan